All Alone, Together: A Community in Lockdown

2020 has not been an easy time for the global community. The Coronavirus pandemic has led to many deaths from the virus and separated families, friends, workers and communities from each other. Global trade, tourism, hospitality, the arts, and many supply chains are in total disarray. Unemployment is on the rise, economic recession dawns, there is increased poverty, mental health issues, domestic abuse, isolation and loneliness not just amongst the elderly and vulnerable but amongst young people.

But to some, it was not always doom and gloom. In lockdown, some people spent quality time with their spouses and children; others reconnected with lost friends or took on new hobbies and interests such as bread making and gardening.

Some responded by being kinder to others, particularly the elderly, lonely, hungry, or sick. Many came forward to volunteer or offer resources to help others. There was global support for the Black Lives Matter Campaign calling for racial justice and proactive action to tackle systematic racism and violence against black people.

Several grant giving bodies and foundations collaborated to provide emergency funding to community businesses, charities and not for profit groups. We saw an accelerated shift to a digital world as the global community took to Zoom, Microsoft teams, Skype and others for work, connecting with families, entertainment and socialising, boosting activities amongst technology groups.

The pandemic has changed our lives, the things we once took for granted have become so precious In Lockdown.

With support from the Arts Council, we surveyed and interviewed some users and local residents to assess the impact of the pandemic on their lives. Through the interviews we are building a Library of Voices, capturing insights and stories from a Community in Lockdown. We will continue to build on the Library of Voices in the long term, capturing and sharing all aspects of community life.

The first of the Podcasts under the Library of Voices programme is available here:

Information captured from some of our users and community is summarised in this report including recommended activities to address gaps created by the pandemic:

We have left the survey open until end of December 2020 as the pandemic continues and we know there will be more stories to share. This report is therefore the start of ongoing dialogue with our community and we will use the information and ideas to inform our planning and development activities.

A massive thank you to all the people who have contributed to the surveys and interviews so far.